This steep section of the Permian Reef Trail takes you up to the top of Wilderness Ridge through an ancient, fossilized reef known as the Capitan Reef. The trail was designed to showcase preserved Permian age geologic and fossil features in the park; you can download a NPS guide to the marked fossils along this trail ( npshistory.com/brochures/gumo/permian-reef-trail.pdf ). As you ascend this challenging, but fun, section of trail you get increasingly great views of the large imposing cliff-sides that comprise the bulk of the ancient reef and down into McKittrick Canyon. As you climb, you will pass by some amazing geologic features like a free-standing natural rock pillar, numerous fossils, the striking rounded rock rim of the Wilderness Ridge, and sweeping views across the park.

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Details

Informations

Distance 2.42 km

Uphill 370 m

Downhill 150 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 8 October

20°C

14°C

19 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 31.0 km/h

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Location: Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area, Eddy County, New Mexico, United States

Permian Reef Trail (Switchback Section)

1. Permian Reef Trail — Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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